Robert Man | |
---|---|
Born | 1721 |
Died | 1783 |
Allegiance | Kingdom of Great Britain |
Service/ | Royal Navy |
Years of service | 1731–1783 |
Rank | Admiral |
Commands held | HMS Launceston HMS Lynn HMS Anson HMS Prince Frederick HMS Lancaster HMS Cornwall Leeward Islands Station Mediterranean Fleet Lord Commissioner of the Admiralty |
Battles/wars |
Admiral Robert Man (1721–1783) was a Royal Navy officer. He commanded the third-rate HMS Lancaster at the siege of Louisbourg in June 1758 during the French and Indian War. He went on to become commander-in-chief of the Leeward Islands Station, then Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean Fleet and finally First Naval Lord.
Robert Man was born in 1721 and baptised at St Mary's, Chatham on 2 July of that year. He is listed in three ships commanded by his father, Captain Robert Man (1675-1745), these being a mixture of the usual fiction and fact. His passing certificate is dated 12 March 1739.[1] Man officially joined the Royal Navy on 17 September 1740.[2] Promoted to post-captain on 22 June 1745, he took command of the fifth-rate HMS Launceston in June 1745, the fifth-rate HMS Lynn in June 1746 and the fourth-rate HMS Anson in February 1755.[2] He went on to command the third-rate HMS Prince Frederick in 1758 and the third-rate HMS Lancaster later that year.[2] He commanded Lancaster at the siege of Louisbourg in June 1758 during the French and Indian War.[2] He then transferred to the command of the third-rate HMS Cornwall in 1760.[2]
Whilst in command of Cornwall, he took on board the orphaned son of his cousin, another Captain Robert Man (1720-1762), and did much to promote his career. The boy, later Admiral Robert Man (1745-1813), was described by Nelson as 'a good man in every sense of the word'.[3]
Man became commander-in-chief of the Leeward Islands Station in 1769[4] and established a naval hospital at Antigua.[5]
Promoted to rear admiral on 18 October 1770,[2] Man went on to be commander-in-chief of the Mediterranean Fleet in 1774[6] and, having been promoted to vice admiral on 31 March 1775,[7] he joined the Board of Admiralty as First Naval Lord[8] in the North ministry in April 1779.[9] He retired from the Admiralty Board in September 1780[9] and, having been promoted to full admiral on 26 September 1780,[2] died in 1783.[2]